Rihanna Reigns

Her career (like her image) is on fire: She has worked with music's biggest names and is racking up accolades. Here, she talks about finding confidence and putting rumors to rest.

Kenneth Willardt

Feb 12, 2008

When Rihanna strides into a Los Angeles hotel restaurant, the 20-year-old singing sensation looks totally glamorous in a Roberto Cavalli leopard-print wrap that flutters sexily behind her. But that air of sophistication evaporates when she slides into the booth and dives into her Cosmo interview. "Watch out-I love to prank people," she warns, playfully narrowing her piercing green eyes. Then she launches into a story about how the night before, she squeezed a few drops of lemon juice into her best friend's mouth while she was sleeping. "You should have seen her face when she woke up and tasted it!" says Rihanna, clearly delighted with her mischievous trick.

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No wonder her third and latest album is titled Good Girl Gone Bad! The truth is, that title also could refer to the way Rihanna's looks and image have evolved-from sweet to übersexy-since she debuted on the music scene in 2005 with her reggae-inspired hit "Pon de Replay." In just three years, the Barbados native (whose full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty) has become a manmelting megastar. Her album recently went platinum, and according to Nielsen SoundScan, more than 2.2 million people have digitally downloaded her hit single "Umbrella." This past fall, she beat out Beyoncé to win an American Music Award, and at press time, she had been nominated for an impressive four Grammy Awards-most notably Record of the Year.

Thanks to her huge success, Rihanna says she has gained confidence and is finally able to relax a little. "A year ago, I would have sat here in my shell with my hands in my lap and been very shy," she says. "But now, I can be goofy and outgoing."

That effervescent personality and her sultry beauty have proven to be an irresistible combo for Hollywood Romeos, who reportedly have included Shia LaBeouf (which she's never confirmed) and, most recently, Josh Hartnett. Rihanna admits that she and Josh "hung out" a few times but says they never dated. It's easy to understand why she's so tight-lipped. For more than two years, there were whispers that Rihanna was involved with her record label's president, Jay-Z. "I felt self-conscious around him until he took me aside and said that I just had to ignore it," she says.

Even if Rihanna were to fall in love, she's not sure she would fess up. "It's tough because you want to be able to talk about it and be proud, but you have to be sure of that person first," she says. "Christina Aguilera and her husband [Jordan Bratman] are my favorite couple because they're in love and that's all that matters to them." So what matters most to Rihanna when it comes to a mate? Humility. "If a guy is hot and he knows it-forget it. I hate arrogance," she says, then ticks off a few turn-ons: "I like facial hair and a guy who dresses rugged."

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When dating gets too confusing, she turns to her male buddies or her brothers (she has two) for love advice. "I have three girlfriends and about 20 guy friends," she says, adding that she thinks men are more loyal. "I love listening to guy talk because I learn a lot. Here's the key: You can't lower your standards for a guy because he won't respect you and he'll tell his friends. You always have to stick up for yourself and speak your mind."

That last part could be Rihanna's life motto. At business meetings, she now makes many of her own decisions about her career, which shows no signs of slowing down. "Some people never figure themselves out, and that's sad," she says. "I'm still learning who I am, but I'm not scared to be myself anymore."